What Is Ectropion? What Causes Ectropion?

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Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 25 Oct 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Ectropion is a medical condition in which the eyelid, usually the lower lid, folds inward. The eyelashes constantly rub against the cornea, thus making the condition quite uncomfortable. Ectropion is usually caused by genetic factors and may be congenital. Trachoma infection may cause scarring of the inner eyelid, which may also cause ectropion. Trachoma is an infectious eye disease, and the leading cause of the world's infectious blindness. Globally, 84 million people suffer from active infection and nearly 8 million people are visually impaired as a result of this disease. Globally this disease results in considerable disability.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Ectropion is an inversion or turning inward of a part or the infolding of the margin of an eyelid.

The condition is common and can affect anyone, but it most often occurs in older people. It can affect either eyelid or both at the same time.

What are the symptoms of Ectropion?

A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, drowsiness may be a symptom while dilated pupils may be a sign.

Symptoms of ectropion include redness and pain around the eye, sensitivity to light and wind, sagging skin around the eye, excessive tearing and decreased vision especially if the cornea is damaged. The most common symptoms are watery eyes, dry/red/sore eyes and obvious infection.

First, watery eyes is the most common symptom in relation to tear ducts. The tear duct is a tiny tunnel in the eyelid that drains tears from the surface of the eye to the back of the nose. If the eyelid droops and turns outwards, the opening of the tear duct is pulled away from the surface of the eye, preventing the tears from draining properly, so they build up inside the drooping eyelid, often causing discomfort, redness and more watering.

Second, eyes can become dry, sore and red because the drooping lower eyelid prevents the eye from closing properly and old tears from draining away. Thus, the eye becomes exposed to the air and is not bathed in fresh tears.

Finally, if tears cannot properly drain, bacteria are not cleaned away from the surface of the eye. This makes the surface of the eye vulnerable to conjunctivitis, a condition that causes further redness and irritation with a build-up of mucous on the eye. Infection then leads to further watering, often with redness and swelling of the eyelids, which may become crusty.

What are the causes of Ectropion?

Causes of ectropion include congenital patterns, ageing, previous scarring and spasms. However, the most common cause of ectropion is the tissues of the eyelids becoming slack.

Previous scarring can also lead to ectropion. If the delicate skin around the eyes is wounded or burned, the body forms a scar in an attempt to heal the injury. This can draw in the skin and pull the eyelids out of their normal position.

Bell's palsy may also be a cause. In Bell's, the muscles of the face, including the muscles that control the eyelids, become paralyzed or weak. Bell's palsy is usually temporary and most people make a full recovery within a few months without treatment.

Very rarely, ectropion can be present at birth, when the eyelids have not developed properly. This can happen in babies with Down's syndrome.

Diagnosing Ectropion

Diagnosis is determined through visual observation by a general practitioner. A doctor will be able to diagnose the condition after an examination of the eyes and eyelids. Special tests are usually not necessary as the symptoms and signs of ectropion are quite distinctive.

One should see a doctor immediately if decreased vision, eye pain, sensitivity to light or rapidly increasing redness of the eye is present.

What are the treatment options for Ectropion?

Treatment is a simple surgery in which excess skin of the outer lids is removed. Prognosis is excellent if surgery is performed before the cornea is damaged. This tightens the tendon that holds the outer eyelid in place. This gives extra support and lift to the eyelid.

If ectropion is left untreated and is stopping the eye from closing properly, the eye may become progressively more uncomfortable. In rare cases, the cornea may become exposed and a corneal ulcer may occur.

Preventing Ectropion

Prevention of ectropion is nearly impossible as is caused by congenital patterns, ageing and/or previous scarring.

Written by Sy Kraft (B.A.)
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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